Cloth-inspecting machine



June 15 1926. 1,589,003

- W. E. STEERE CLOTH INSPECTING MACHINE Filed March 30, 1925 2 Shae WE Sfeere" June 15 Q1926. 1,589,003

W. E. STEERE CLOTH INSPEC TING MACHINE Filed March 30. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jrweutoz 71/17 JVce/"e 7a Sam 1 1 a Patented June 15, 1926.

units stares WILLARD n. STEERE, or enorterAvr-ntn nrionn ISLAND.

CLOTH-INSPECTING MACHINE.

Application filed March 30,1925. Serial No. 19,550.

This invention relates to a new machine adapted for use in cloth mills for pejil'in'itting the cloth to be accuratelyinspected and to permit defects to be observed and re paired. y

I am of course aware of the fact that numerous kinds of machines and cloth in spec-tion tables are in use for permitting the toregoingresult to be accomplished. However, so far as I am aware, it is customary in devices oi this class to pass the'clot-h' continuously over the inspecting table, the

to observe any defects that may efrist. So long as no defects are observed, the cloth continues to be moved over the table. This continuouslymoving cloth is a menace to the eyes of the observer, and it is very di'lii cult indeed to inspect and repair the cloth under such conditions. In the event a defect is encoimtered the feedin means above the cloth usually stopped.

in View of the objectionable conditions now existing which are the result of the un satisfactory plan now followed in inspecting cloth, l have evolved and produced a novel machine for automatically and intermittently moving the cloth over an inspection table or board, the construction bein such that the cloth is stationary during the inspection and repair period and is moved a predetermin'ed distance at the discretion oi the operator to successively chai'ig'e the area to be inspected.

Briefly. the present inventi'on comprises a cloth inspection table across which the cloth is adapted to pass in a. step by step or intermittent manner, feed mechanism for moving the cloth over the table, a continuously inoving 'operatii'ig mechanism, especial'ly coiistr'u'cted power trai'ismitting mechanismloc'ated between the feed mechanism and the continuously moving operating mechanisn'i, and nianually actuated means for engaging this power transmitting niechanism with the o li'eratingj mechanism.

The new result obtained from the association of parts briefly given is that the present machine moves the clothin a step by step manner. The relation of the operating mechanism and the power transmitting; mechanism to the feeding means for the cloth is such that it imparts a predetermechanism upon each complete operation mspector Witching the moving cloth ciosei y ot "the power transmitting mechanism, andther'ehy' permits a. predetermined area of the cloth" to be inspected while it is in a stationary state upon the table, and moves this inspected area ofut of place and properly brings up the next to be treated.

The varioti's features, advantages, and neve'l arrangement or details will become apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the accompanying drawings.forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same Figure 1 is a front elevation with portions shown in section of a cloth inspecting machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale Figs. 4 and 5 are top plan views of gears constituting elements of the special power transmission gearing which is located betueen' 'the operatin mechanism and the cloth feeding; means.

Referring to "the drawings in detail and particularly to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the reference character I designates generally one of a pair of end frames forming a part of a support for the inclined table 2. The frame at the opposite end is identical, each frame embodying spaced vertical legs 3 provided at their bottoms with attaching feet t constructed to permit them to be fastened directly to 'a' floor or an appropriate base. I

At the top of this frame a substantially rectangular head having a downwardly incline'd front bar 5 connected to the inspect in'g table The. bars constituting these end frames a're preferably channel shaped in cross section to insure rigidity oistructure.

' The supporting structure also embodies what may be broadly referred to as a housing 6 this servilig to partially enclose certain of the details to prevent injury, accumulation or dust, etc. p

Mounted for idling upon the, frames are a plurality of guide rollers 7 arranged in the approxin'iatc relation seen in dotted lines in Fig. to permit the cloth 8 to be trained thereover. The rollers are arranged so that the cloth is compelled to take somewhat of a tortuous course. In connection with this supporting structure, attention is to be given to the particular inclination of the table. The degree of inclination as shown is comparatively steep, it being my intetion to dispose it upon an angle of about 22 011 all machines with which I am familiar, the inclination of the table is approximately 60 or more and this is quite a disadvantage to the operator.

Not only is the particular inclination of the table of importance, but the construction of the upper portion of the structure is such as to space the bottom of the table in advance of the supporting le s 3, thus afiording ample room for the operators knees when she is in a sitting posture. Although it is not essential, the table 2 embodies a relatively stationary section 9 and a hingedly mounted relatively movable section 10. This arrangement facilitates application of the cloth upon the guiding and feeding means of the machine.

The feed means hereinbefore broadly referred to is in the form of a feed roller 11 mounted for rotation at the bottom of the supporting frames. This roller may be mounted in any appropriate manner and in practice it is covered with sand paper or the like to afford a good friction grip upon the cloth to facilitate movement of the same across the table.

It will be observed from Fig. 1 that the shaft of this roller embodies an extension projecting beyond one of the end frames and this extension carries a beveled gear 12 and a grooved braking wheel 13 located between the gear and the adjacent end frame. It might be pointed out here that a relatively small pulley 14 is mounted upon the end frame at a point over the wheel 13, and a belt 15 is anchored at its lower end, and presses against one side of the wheel 13, the same being seated in the groove formed in the periphery of the latter and then passed iupwardly and over the pulley 14,

On the depending free end portion of the belt is a weight 16 and it is obvious that with this arrangement the belt will be pressed into frictional contact with the wheel 3 to act as an automatically operable brake.

From Figure 2 it will be observed that a diagonal guide 17 is mounted upon each of the end frames. The guide is channel shaped in cross section and serves to receive the ends of a horizontally disposed rod 18. This rod 18 constitutes a roller upon which the cloth is automatically rolled after it has been inspected. It will be noted that the rod 18 is located so that the sand paper feed roller 11 serves to rotate it for winding the cloth thereon. The guides 17 permit the rod 18 to ride upwardly therein as the diameter of the roll of cloth increases. Attention is also called to the fact that vertical slotted guides 19 are secured to the supporting structure in any appropriate way and a tension roller 20 has its journals located in these guides. This roller 20 is vertically movable in the slot. It will be seen later that it is of a weight sufficient to form a substantial \I' in the cloth as indicated in Fig. 2 to eliminate slack which would otherwise be produced.

Directing attention now to hig. 1 it will be seen that the reference character 21 designates a base from which a pair of spaced vertical standards 22 rise, these standards being formed at their upper ends with bearings 23 in which a shaft 24 is journaled for rotation. This shaft is pro vided with a pulley 25 which is keyed thereon and at its inner end is provided with a beveled pinion 26. Also mounted upoa the base and located between the standards on the adjacent end frame of the aforesaid supporting structure, is a housing 27 for a novel power transmission forming an important factor of the present invention. The housing may be of any appropriate construction. Disposed within the same are vertically spaced cross members 28 on which a perpendicular shaft 29 is mounted for rotation. Fastened to the upper end of this shaft is a beveled gear 30. Fastened to the intermediate portion of the shaft is another beveled gear 31, this gear being adapted to mesh with the aforesaid beveled gear 12, and the first named gear 30 being intended to cooperate with the pinion 26. The lower end of the shaft 29 extends below the corresponding cross piece and carries a disk 32. Having eccentric connection with the peripheral portion of the under side of this disk is a coiled spring 33 which is appropriately anchored at its opposite end to the casing. In connection with gears 30 and 31, attention is directed to Figs. and 5 wherein it will be seen that the gear 30 is provided on one side with a gap 3st in the toothed periphery. The gear 31 on the other hand is provided in its toothed edge with a gap 35. It will be noted that the gap 34in the gear 30, is of a length less than the gap 35.

It-will also be observed that the gear is provided on its top with a stop strip 36 forming an abutment which is adapted to serve a purpose to be hereinafter described; Normally, the pinion 26 registers with the gap 34, while the gap of the gear 31 is disposed opposite the teeth of the beveled gear 12. Also, the pulley is driven by a belt from any suitable source of power and the operation thereof is continuous, the pinion 26 idling in the gap Hence, manually controlled means must be provided for moving the beveled gears into mesh to drive the feed roller 11.

The means provided for bringing the gearing into play at the proper time comprises an. arm 36. pivoted between its ends upon. a post 37. A flexible cord or the like 88-.is fastened.- to the short end. of the arm 36. and depends therefrom, passing over pulleys 39 on. the supporting structure and being connected. to a foot pedal 40. This arm 36 serves to operate; novel releasing means for. the gear 30. In this connection attention should be confined more particulal'ly toFig. 3 wherein it will be seen that ll indicates, a. bracket uponwhich a latch 42 is pivotally mounted, this latch having a notched free end adapted to engage the stop 36*.

A sliding bolt or the like L3 passes slida-bly through an opening inthe top of: the housing, the, same being connected at its lower end through the medium of a link 44, with the-latchAQ. There is an eye t5 Onthe: upper end. of the. bolt and a chain 4,6 is connected with. thiseye and is then connected with the adjacent or long end port-ion, of; the, arm. 36. and associated: parts are sufiiciently heavy and.- are so mounted as to normally maintain the arm in the horizontal position shown in Fig. land the. pedal is an elevated position. This obviates the necessity ofemploying spring means for holding the pedal locked.

The operation ofthe machine is as follows The cloth to be inspected is trained: over the idler rollers 7, the same being adapted to move in the direction of the arrow in dicated. in Fig, 2.. \Vith the cloth in this position it is obvious that when it is moved it passes downwardly over the inspection table 52 to enable the inspector to readily locate defects and imperfections.

Assuming that the cloth has been par tially wound upon the roller rod 18 and that the pulley 2? is in motion, as will be the case so long as the machine is in use, it will be seen that by placing the foot upon the pedal 40 and depressing it, a pull will be exerted upon the arm 36 to rock it on its pivot in a direction to lift the latch 42 and to permit freedom of movement of the gearing. Prior to releasing of the latch the pinion 26 has been rotating in the gap 3%. As soon as the latch is re leased, however, a pull is exerted upon the disk 32 through the medium of the coiled spring 33 and the shaft 29 is rotated in a direction to bring the teeth of the gear 30 into mesh with those of the pinion, whereby to simultaneously rotate gears 30 and 31 and to subsequently rotate the gear 31 sufficiently so as to bring its teeth into mesh with the teeth on the beveled gear 12. Consequently, the feed roller 11 is set into rotation-to move the cloth across the table a predetermined distance.

The operator does not keep her foot upon The latch arm the pedal but releases it immediately so that the latch drops down to a position to a;uto-. ma ically stop the rotation of the gears after one, complete revolution has been made. Thus the gearing; is automatically thrown out of operation and the cloth hastraveled a predetermined distance across the table, bringing up a new area for inspection. It isto be borne in mind that during the period of inspection, the cloth is stationary. It is only when it is desired to bring out a new area for. insoection that the cloth moves, and this is done very rapidly by using gears of proper ratio.

Vl 'hen the gearing has stopped rotating under the act-ion of the automatic stoppingineans, the braking belt comes into play to stop rotation of the roller. 11, and the tension roller 20 hows the cloth downwardly WlllCll,

as shown in Fig. 2. to relieve the. slack would otherwise exist. Although it is not essential, the surface ofthe inspecting table is preferable painted black or constructed otherwise to facilitate the location, of imperfections.

The following advantages and features are the result of a structure of the kind specified. First, the: driving pulley is continuously operable and the'power transmis:

sion is operable at the will and discretion of the operator, permitting her to. move the cloth across the table rapidly and wheneverdesircd. Although I know about belt shifting devices such as are ordinarily employed, I havenever seena. positive driving conneot-ion through the medium of the particulararrangement of gears specified. The machine is more or less automatic in operation, it being entirely unnecessary for the operator to keep her foot upon the pedal as is ordinarily required so long as the cloth is moving.

All that is necessary for her to do is to depress the pedal slightly, simply releasing the latch which controls the operation of the gearing, after which the latch and its structure will overbalance and automatically return the pedal to position for further depression.

An important feature of the machine is the take up roll 20 which serves to eliminate slack in the cloth after the power has been turned out. The frame, as stated is so built that the operator is permitted to sit close to the work. Plenty of room is alforded for the knees under the inspecting table and the body may be moved close to the cloth. Obviously, this important in that it obviates the necessity of the operator reaching over great distances. Owing to the inclination of the inspecting table, the operator can glance at the work and locate imperfect-ions with precision.

These features and advantages of the invention will result in larger production, less work to the operator, and better quality of work, as will doubtless be made apparent by considering the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawing. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the held of invention claimed, may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1.. In a cloth inspecting machine of the class described, a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, gears secured to said shaft, a driven shaft extending into said housing, a pinion carried by said driven shaft and adapted to mesh with one of said gears, the toothed portions of said gears including lank portions, a disk carried by said shaft, and a spring anchored to said housing and connected eccentrically with said disk.

2. In a cloth inspecting machine of the class described, an arm pivotally mounted between its ends, a control cord for rocking said arm upon its pivot, a rotatably mounted gear, a stop carried by said gear, a pivoted latch, said latch being gravity lowered and adapted to cooperate with said stop to preventrotation of said gear, and a connection between said arm and latch.

In a cloth inspecting machine, in combination, an inspection table over which the cloth is adapted to pass, feed mechanism for moving the cloth over said table, continuously moving operating mechanism, power transmitting mechanism interposed between the feed mechanism and the operating mechanism, and manually-actuated means for engaging the power transmission mechanism with the operating mechanism, said power transmitting mechanism comprising means for imparting a' predetermined amount of movement to the feed mechanism upon each complete operation of the power transmission mechanism, whereby to move said cloth a predetermined distance.

at. In a cloth inspecting machine, in combination, an inspection table over which the cloth is adapted to pass, feed mechanism for moving the cloth over the table, continuously moving operating means, power transmitting mechanit-im interposed between said means and said feed mechanism, manually actuated means for engaging the power transmitting mechanism with the operating means, and additional means on which said cloth is wound after inspection, said additional means being associated with said feed mechanism, and said power transmitting mecha nism embodying means for imparting a pre determined amount of movement to the feed mechanism upon each complete operation of the power transmitting mechanism, whereby to move a predetermined amount of cloth over the table and to produce an intermittent actuation thereof.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signatin-e.

\VlLLARD E. STEERE. 

